I remember growing up as a kid in the 1970s and thinking the music of the day absolutely sucked. And although it spawned some cool periods like punk, new wave and even disco, I thought the rest was a mish-mash of a decade searching for a purpose.
I was 10 years old and my parents took us to a Woolco department store. Remember those?
It was Christmastime and shoppers were stacked up, like cordwood waiting for a wagon, at the checkout.
All I heard was the screaming guitar of Chuck Berry’s Johnny B. Goode blaring out of a Lloyd’s stereo promoting the latest release from K-Tel, 25 Rock Revival Greats. The music that started it all.
It would be years before I would ever listen to a long-hair band, insisting on learning more about the origin of the music and the true pioneers of black rhythm and blues, which along with country swing created Rock n’ Roll.
Fats Domino was one of those pioneers whose music would be covered by white stars to try to sell it to a mainstream audience before it was accepted.
Despite those obstacles Fats sold over 110 million records worldwide including his signature hit Blueberry Hill recorded in 1956 selling five million copies, the same year we met newcomer Elvis Presley.
One of the original 10 inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, Fats died knowing the impact he had on popular culture and music.
That’s a blessing, along with the many great records he left us with.
Scott Thompson is the host of the Scott Thompson show on AM 900 CHML.
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